Equipment Sales Flat

Agricultural equipment manufacturers report that they expect equipment sales in 2007 to be flat or slowing. The annual Association of Equipment Manufacturers report shows that sales of 2-wd tractors of 100 hp and lower will be essentially flat in the U.S. Sales of tractors over 100 hp are predicted to decrease about 3%. Sales of 4-wd tractors are expected to decline 2.5%. Manufacturers expect a slight uptick in combine sales, with about a 1% increase.

In other ag field equipment, the strongest growth overall is expected in air seeders/air drills with an 8% increase. Other gains are expected in field cultivators, up 3%, and rotary cutters, up 2%. Manufacturers expect sales of planters to drop 4.7% and sales of self-propelled sprayers to decrease 3.6%. For more information, visit www.aem.org.